November 8, 2010
The Kings’ Chronicles Week 3
Posted by Michael
Learn:
2 Chronicles 16
1 In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah. 2 Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the LORD’s temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. 3 “Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.” 4 Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. They conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim and all the store cities of Naphtali. 5 When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and abandoned his work. 6 Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using. With them he built up Geba and Mizpah. 7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. 8 Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the LORD, he delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” 10 Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people. 11 The events of Asa’s reign, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. 13 Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his ancestors. 14 They buried him in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier covered with spices and various blended perfumes, and they made a huge fire in his honor.
Historical Context:
King Asa reigned faithfully and honored God for 36 years. He recognized his dependence on God constantly. In his 36th year he faced a conflict with Baasha, king of Israel. Baasha fortified Ramah, which was 7 miles from Jerusalem and posed a significant military and economic threat to Judah. To remedy this, King Asa essentially hired King Ben-Hadad, an enemy who did not serve Yahweh, to fight Baasha’s military. Although the plan worked in the short-term, it created all kinds of military problems for Israel for generations to come.
Main Idea:
The main reason King Asa’s plan was a mistake was because he did not consult God. He thought he had everything under control by himself. After a prophet tells Asa of his mistake, Asa closes the door to heaven in anger. Asa throws the prophet in jail and begins to oppress his own people. His lack of love for God hurt the people he was called to serve. The greatest gift you can give people is your own personal pursuit of God. When you love God, you can begin to love others well. Three years later, Asa contracted a foot disease. He could have used this event as an opportunity to turn back to God. Instead, he locks the door of his heart and dies from the disease. King Asa’s greatest failure is not that he failed. It’s that when he did, he refused to repent and became too proud to turn back to the God who loved him.
Know What: God looks for people who seek Him fully.
So What: The greatest mistake we could ever make is to pridefully shut the door on God and refuse to repent.
Now What: Recognize your dependence on God. Stay focused on the God who loves you and never forget your need for the grace and mercy He provides.
Discuss…
1. Isaac told the story of defensive lineman Leon Lett. He recovered a fumble and was about to come in for a touchdown when he began to celebrate to soon, which led him to botch the play. Have you ever had a “Leon Lett” moment where you thought you had something “in the bag”, only to be mistaken? What did you learn from the experience?
2. Do you usually pray about every decision you are faced with, or only the ones you are really not sure about? Why is it so easy for people to think they have everything under control and not invite God into their circumstances?
3. Have you ever made a quick decision that seemed to solve a problem in the moment, but created more problems in the long-run? Do you think you would have made a different decision if you had prayed about it?
4. Do you find that it is easier to love other people when your heart is fully devoted to God? Why or why not? Is the opposite true as well?
5. When Asa was confronted with a sin, he turned away from God. When his ancestor David was confronted with the sins of adultery and murder, he repented and became known as a man after God’s own heart. What does this contrast tell you about being prideful? What does it tell you about the kind of person God looks for?
6. Have you ever turned away from God after being confronted that you messed up in some way? What led you back to Him? If you still have the door of your heart closed to Him, what is keeping you from repentance?
7. King Asa is a prime example of someone who did not finish life well. What are some practical things you can learn from his story and apply to your life?
Next Steps…
2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” This week, prayerfully consider what that verse means. God will strengthen those who commit to Him fully. As you go through your week, remind yourself continually of your need for God and bring every decision you are faced with to Him.
